Two-alarm fire destroys SW Houston mosque

From staff reports

Published 2:52 pm, Saturday, December 26, 2015

A two-alarm fire destroyed a considerable amount of the Savoy Mosque, 11246 S. Wilcrest Dr. in Southwest Houston on Christmas Day. The fire was reported to Houston Fire Department around 2:47 p.m. and was tapped out approximately 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported, but the damage was significant.

Congressman Al Green, in whose district the fire occurred, was notified.

“I received a phone call from a concerned constituent informing me of the fire that occurred at the Savoy Mosque on Christmas Day, December 25, 2015. The Savoy Mosque is located in our highly-diverse Ninth Congressional District with a commendable Muslim population. We appreciate our diversity, and we are proud to live in Houston,” he said.

Detectives investigating the matter were tight-lipped and would not comment on whether or not they considered it a hate crime, but bystanders said they allegedly believed there were multiple points where the fire ignited.

“We are always concerned (especially in light of recent comments and events regarding the Muslim community) when an unexplained fire occurs at a place of worship: be it a chapel, church, mosque, synagogue, temple, or other place of worship,” the congressman said. “Hence, we join all people of good will in encouraging a thorough investigation. We also request that information concerning the cause of the fire be made public as soon as is feasible, so as to thwart mounting speculation.”

The Houston Fire Department Arson Bureau, Houston Police Department, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are currently investigating the incident. As part of the investigative process, evidence is being collected and analyzed; and interviews are being conducted. At this time the incident is classified as undetermined.

“We want to reassure the public that we will conduct a complete and thorough investigation and if anybody has any information pertaining to this incident, you are urged to contact the Houston Arson Bureau at 832-395-8542 or if you would like to remain anonymous call 713-222-TIPS,” said HFD spokesperson Ruy Lozano.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the Savoy Mosque worshippers and the Muslim community during this difficult time,” Green said.